Dragon Vale

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley… Eleanor mused gazing from her window.

Once known as Blue Valley for the hue the grass took from the sky above, now lay hundreds or thousands of dragons. Eleanor’s gray eyes could see great mounds of scaled flesh heaving in deep sleep. Far in the distance a battle for dominance seemed even matched. Fire plumed and screeching roars echoed off the mountainsides that cupped the Valley.

Dragon Vale. Valley of the Dragon’s Keep. The blue grass now was covered in piles of jewels and gold. If she recalled her lessons as a child it was her great grandfather King Eidimos that sailed so bravely to the land on the Underside to meet with the Dragon King.

Their thirst for wealth and land knows no satiety. They were eager for the deal to gain the land of the Blue Valley in return to protect Medos from invasion. It was well known too, how they betrayed Eidimos and what was once their protection now their prison.

Princess Eleanor, third child of King Romir and his wife Cecily, stared from the window of the high tower observing all below. Her strawberry blonde hair rested nestled in a soft braid framing her face.

A rush of spring wind tossed her fair hair and brought with it the scent of the market. The market, green grass and of course that unique smell of dragons with gold that always tailed the wind.

Sighing, Eleanor turned from the window. “Back to the task at hand…” She remarked to herself alone. And with that making one more attempt to sketch the apple on the table in front of her. As the image came out skewed she idly let her pencil fall. “What is the point?! What is this of use for!?”

“Talking to apples now?” The voice came from behind.

Gasping Eleanor turned to see her sister Marina.

“Of course not.” She replied dully tucking the apple into her apron.

“Okay, than to whom?” Marina smiled truly interested.

“Myself course. There is no adventure in drawing. I’m not even that good at it.” Eleanor quietly replied toying with the corner of her sketch paper.

“Who needs adventure?!” Marina scoffed.

Eleanor thought of a good answer while watching Marina start to fretfully clean the tower room that did not need cleaning. This meant picking up the bedding that was freshly laid this morning and a drop cloth that hadn’t been used. The king and queen had probably the best intentions, but Eleanor was not going to be the lovely little artist they were trying to desperately train.

“Look Eleanor, I know as third daughter life may not have the glamorous outlook as it does for our eldest brother, but you know one must get on with their day and life. You should be working on your life stud… where’s the apple?”

Eleanor gave a wan smile removing the object from her apron and danced it in front of her sister’s eyes as she moved to the door. “I know. I know I need to study and work on getting a very life like apple because people wouldn’t know there are perfectly life like apples if they weren’t being drawn.” pausing to take a bite she added, “I’m going for a walk.”

Before Marina could raise alarm Eleanor was down the long winding case to a back door. There she stepped in to the lush royal garden. The aroma of flowers and greenery were overwhelming. Quickly dashing to a small wooden box hidden from everyone behind a hedge, the princess crouched down.

“Perfect! You haven’t been discovered!” she giggled to herself removing the handkerchief and shawl. These were gifts from her previous handmaid bought in the big market. A place that even the third princess was frowned upon going. This is how Lala the handmaid lost her job, and gods know how Eleanor was able to keep the gifts, but here they are.

Wrapping herself up in what she would consider quite believable incognito princess garb, she exited her garden and into the side alley which would spill into the musty street market.

Tall full figured feathered Pengalores strutted by the alley. Their brilliant blue sheen almost reflected the daylight. Eleanor’s hand reached to stroke them but just as she was about to touch the closest one, their handler jerked them to keep them moving.

“Astounding.” the princess quietly remarked to herself. As she was looking at the world about a dwarf mole grabbed her apple, snickering as it waddled into the darkness of the alley behind them.

The market stretches four city streets and is lined as usual; pubs, market stalls, livestock, brothels, inns and the like. The spice merchants can be sensed for miles and never quite found. You also have to work your way through several gypsy stalls; all of which will tell a different fortune.

Eleanor’s eyes glassed over as she was swept into the current of people. So taken was she with flowing silk and other fine fabrics she almost missed the tent she came here for.

“BingDoff’s Fine Travelle Supplies” The banner hung from an enormous purple tent, going brown with age and dust. Pressing her lips together Eleanor clenched her fists. One of which held a scrawled upon list of supplies. “Today, I am going to do it.” She encouraged herself.

After another moments’ doubt, and two moments of hard consideration to turn the other way, Eleanor then took the first step into the start of her adventure.